From our friends at Cover Georgia:

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Under the American Rescue Plan, Georgia could receive an extra $1.3-$2 Billion in health care funding if our state leaders say “yes” to Medicaid expansion. The American Rescue Plan is expected to receive a final approval by Congress today, before heading to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

This deal is so new that Georgia’s elected officials may not know that it includes such a great deal for our state. Join Cover Georgia’s digital advocacy events today (3/10) and tomorrow (3/11) to spread the word! Together, we will share how the American Rescue Plan makes Medicaid expansion a deal too good to pass up for Georgia! Here’s how to participate:
 

• Today, now through 4 pm! Share with the members of Georgia’s Senate Appropriations Community Health subcommittee why Medicaid expansion is the #BestDeal4GA. (Check out Fast Facts below!) The subcommittee is holding a hearing at 4 pm today to consider Georgia’s Medicaid budget.

• Tomorrow, March 11, 10 am to noon: Call or email your state legislators and Gov. Kemp to let them know that Georgia #CantMissOut on the new enhanced Medicaid expansion funding!

• Tomorrow, March 11, 1-2 pm: Join Cover Georgia and Southerners for Medicaid Expansion on FaceBook and Twitter for a social media storm! #BestDeal4GA

These advocacy opportunities are the kickoff to a series of follow-up opportunities that will continue through March. Stay tuned for more ways you can take action in the coming weeks!

A deal too good to pass up

The U.S. House is expected to give its final approval to the American Rescue Plan today, which will then head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. On top of many generous provisions that will benefit Georgia individuals and families, the bill creates a big incentive for Georgia (and 11 other hold-out states) to extend Medicaid coverage to low-income adults.

Under the American Rescue Plan, Georgia would earn money by adopting Medicaid expansion. If Georgia expands Medicaid, the state would receive $1.3-$2 Billion in enhanced federal funding for our existing Medicaid program. These savings could cover the costs of the Medicaid expansion program ($640 million over 2 years), and the remainder ($710 million) could be put towards other state priorities.

The remaining funds could restore cuts made to Georgia schools during the pandemic; re-build safety net programs and services for communities of color, immigrants, people with disabilities and other groups hit especially hard by the pandemic; extend broadband internet service to disconnected communities; or fill other needs felt by Georgia families and communities.

Medicaid expansion was already a good deal for Georgia but the American Rescue Plan makes it a deal too good to pass up. With your help, we will let our state leaders know that this is the #BestDeal4GA and one that Georgia #CantMissOut on.

Fast facts

Medicaid expansion is a bridge to a better, healthier Georgia
 

• Rural communities were already hurting before COVID-19. Rural residents are more likely to be uninsured and have higher rates of chronic disease. Rural hospitals have been closing at an alarming rate. Medicaid expansion would build a bridge to a more prosperous future for rural Georgia.

• Thousands of essential workers in our state could get covered under Medicaid expansion, helping our state recover from COVID-19 healthier and stronger.

• Half of Georgians who could be covered by Medicaid expansion are Black or Hispanic. Medicaid expansion would reduce disparities in uninsured rates of Black and brown Georgians compared to white Georgians.

• One in four low-income, uninsured Georgians have a mental health or substance use condition. These conditions are preventable and treatable but many people need help to get better. Medicaid expansion would give these Georgians a bridge to recover

Georgians have been left behind for too long. Georgia can’t miss out again!

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• Thirty-eight (38) states have already expanded Medicaid to cover low-income adults. Georgia is one of only 12 who have not.

• Sixty percent of people who would be covered by Medicaid expansion are working but often not offered health insurance through their job or do not get paid enough to afford their employer plan.

• Gov. Kemp’s Pathways plan is too weak to bridge the divide between Georgia’s current uninsured rate and the healthy, equitable state that Georgians deserve. Only 60,000 Georgians would gain insurance under the Governor’s plan, but Medicaid expansion could cover 500,000.

The American Rescue Plan is too good a deal to pass up!
 

• Georgia would earn $1.3-$2 Billion from the federal government during the first two years of Medicaid expansion.

• The savings produced by these federal dollars could restore cuts to education funding so Georgia schools are fully resourced, strengthen our rural broadband or public health systems, expand workforce development programs, enhance public safety, or pay for many other state priorities.

• Georgia will receive this extra funding only if state leaders agree to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income Georgia adults.

• As Georgia leaders refuse to close the coverage gap, the federal government simply keeps our tax dollars. Each year that we wait, our state misses out on $3 billion in federal dollars meant to pay for Georgians’ health coverage. (That’s more than $8 million every day!)

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Our thanks to Cover Georgia for sharing this important information!

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